Kawasaki Ninja ZX Forum banner

Intermittent loosing of power at cruise speed ???

1.1K views 13 replies 4 participants last post by  185EZ  
#1 ·
Hi everyone,

I am new here, i have a old zx-750L 1995 for 2 years now.
Run fine until a couple of months.
The idle speed when the engine is warm is at about 500 rpm, almost stall
When i have the choke on until it is warm the idle is moving up and down every seconds for about 300 rpm (1000 -1300). this behavior was not there 3 months ago.

Yesterday i was at cruise speed (60 Mph around 5000 rpm) and suddenly i loose power on and off. I was on the highway when i turn to my exit and had to slow down, the engine stop. Pull over check if i have gas in my thank (ok on this). Try to restart the engine and it is starting normaly. I was able to get at home. Weird thing when i arrive at home i let the bike run at idle speed and the idle speed was back to normal around 1000 rpm.

Today try the bike again, start normaly, idle speed ok (1000 rpm)
Go for a ride a have again the loose of power at cruise speed and when a increase the throttle, i feel the hesitation of the bike.

Do you have an idea what the problem can be ?

Thanks in advance for your support
 
#9 ·
I'm suggesting there are myriad things that could be causing the problem and you need to check your fuel delivery and ignition systems to eliminate some possible causes. For someone to make an educated guess with no history of maintenance or modifications is shooting in the dark.

EZ's shot-fuel starvation- could come from multiple issues, as could an interruption in regular ignition.

Other factors could enter into it; how long have you owned the machine, how is it stored, who maintains it and when did it start screwing up. When was the last tune-up, what was involved, who did the work.... I could go on and on.

If you asked a qualified shop mechanic the same thing, the first thing he would say is; "Don't know. Bring it in and pay me by the hour to figure it out." So the more you check out and eliminate as a cause on your own, the less time (and money) would be spent making it right. Since you're requesting some help for free here, do us a favor and do some of the checkout work yourself and if you still can't figure it out, at least we have a place to start.
 
#5 ·
Spark plugs? Plug wires? Moisture causing a short. Fuel pump, pump relay.
 
#8 ·
Thanks guys for your suggestions
I will check filter, lines

Also, i was thinking about the fuel pump or the relay
If the pump is defect, maybe she cannot maintain the pressure for 5000 rpm or more, but it is ok for idle speed. If it is the problem it should be become worst over time.

Does the pump relay can be intermittent ?
i think it is easy to check the resistance according to manual shop for the relay.

The weird thing on this, it is the idle speed that become ok after the first big loose of power. really weird.... Maybe this point more on fuel salvation like 185EZ said and discard the pump and relay....
 
#10 ·
You are totally right Hammerhead


Check the fuel pump relay seems ok according to the resistance shown in the manuel shop.
Put 12 v on the fuel pump and hear it running but i do not test the pressure.
According to the last owner the fuel pump has no more than 15 000 Km.

I do not think it is a ignition problem (my opinion) because the problem is only at cruise speed. if it is an igintion problem it would be present too at idle speed (correct me if i am wrong).

It is seems to point at a starvation fuel problem
Crap in the fuel rail ??
fuel filter (have to check this one)

Thanks
 
#11 ·
My point was, any of the suggested ills could be responsible. I'm sure there are more. You begin by eliminating the simplest of possible causes and go on to check the more arcane possibilities. Any don't toss any money at it until you know it's necessary.
 
#12 ·
My point was, any of the suggested ills could be responsible. I'm sure there are more. You begin by eliminating the simplest of possible causes and go on to check the more arcane possibilities. Any don't toss any money at it until you know it's necessary.
exactly
I see so many times guys replacing fuel pumps and expensive parts before the process of elimination.
You know, simple things like a clogged gas cap vent that would create a vacuum in the tank and cause fuel starvation during heavy use and go back to normal during an idle.